[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 100 (Thursday, May 23, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23754-23755]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-10813]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Document No. AMS-SC-19-0044]


Notice of Request for Revision of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) intention 
to request for an extension and revision of a currently approved 
information collection for Specialty Crops Market News Division.

DATES: Comments must be received by July 22, 2019.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments on 
the internet at http://www.regulations.gov or to Specialty Crops Market 
News Division, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Room 1529 South, 
Stop 0238, Washington, DC 20250-0238. Comments should make reference to 
the dates and page number of this issue of the Federal Register and 
will be made available for public inspection in the above office during 
regular business hours or at http://www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Terry C. Long, Director; Specialty 
Crops Market News Division, (202) 720-2175, Fax: (202) 720-0011.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Specialty Crops Market News Division.
    OMB Number: 0581-0006.
    Expiration Date of Approval: November 30, 2019.
    Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: Collection and dissemination of information for specialty 
crops production and to facilitate trading by providing a price base 
used by producers, wholesalers, and retailers to market product.
    The Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621-1627), 
section 203(g) directs and authorizes the collection and dissemination 
of marketing information including adequate outlook information, on a 
market area basis, for the purpose of anticipating and meeting consumer 
requirements, aiding in the maintenance of farm income and to bring 
about a balance between production and utilization.
    The specialty crops industry provides information on a voluntary 
basis that is gathered through confidential telephone and face-to-face 
interviews by market reporters. Reporters request supply, demand, and 
price information of over 330 fresh fruit, vegetable, nut, ornamental, 
and other specialty crops, such as honey. The information is collected, 
compiled, and disseminated by Specialty Crops Market News Division in 
its critical role as an impartial third party. It is collected and 
reported in a manner which protects the confidentiality of the 
respondent and their operations.
    The Specialty Crops Market News Division reports are used by 
academia and various government agencies for regulatory and other 
purposes, but are primarily used by the specialty crops trade, which 
includes packers, processors, brokers, retailers, producers, and 
associated industries. Members of the specialty crops industry 
regularly make it clear that they need and expect the Department of 
Agriculture to issue price and supply market reports for commodities of 
regional, national and

[[Page 23755]]

international significance in order to assist in making immediate 
production and marketing decisions and as a guide to the amount of 
product in the supply channel. In addition, the Agricultural Marketing 
Service buys hundreds of millions of dollars of specialty crops 
products each year for domestic feeding programs, and Specialty Crops 
Market News Division data is a critical component of the decision 
making process.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average .101 hours per response.
    Respondents: Specialty crops industry, or other for-profit 
businesses, individuals or households, farms.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 2,776.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 202.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 56,636 hours.
    Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information will have practical 
utility; (2) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways 
to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who 
are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of 
public record.

    Dated: May 20, 2019.
Bruce Summers,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-10813 Filed 5-22-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P